great solemnity

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Friday, 8 December 2023 : Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Homily and Scripture Reflections)

Liturgical Colour : White

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, today the Church celebrates the great Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, in which occasion, we commemorate the moment when the Blessed Mother of God, Mary, ever-Virgin and ever full of grace, was conceived Immaculate, that means, free from any taint of original sin and defects, and kept by the singular grace of God in the fullness of grace, and therefore, became the perfect Vessel through whom the Saviour of this world, Jesus Christ, Son of God Most High, enters into our midst through His glorious Incarnation in the flesh. Today’s celebration reminds us all that Mary is truly the New Ark of the New Covenant of God, bearing within her the Salvation which God has promised all of us.

Now, all of us need to understand the significance of the celebration today, and why the Church teaches that the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, has been conceived without any taint of sin, spared and protected from the corruption of evil and sin. This is because we must understand that first of all, sin did not exist in the beginning, as God created all things good and perfect, just as we heard them in the Book of Genesis during the time of Creation. Mankind were also created perfect in the very image of God, and were all meant to dwell with God forever, in a state of perfect happiness, harmony and bliss. That is because God loves each and every one of us, all those whom He has created out of His perfect and overflowing love.

God did not have need for anything or anyone, as He is all perfect and all encompassing. There is nothing and no one who can satisfy God, as in His perfection, He has no need for all those things. Yet, in the overflowing love that came forth from the perfect love and union in His Most Holy Trinity, the unity and love between the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, God wants us all to share in this love. Hence, that is why God created us all so that we all may share in His generosity and compassion, His richness of love and mercy. God has never meant for us to suffer in this world, or to endure any hardships, bitterness, challenges or trials, as He wants us to be truly happy and blessed, at all times. And therefore, from the beginning of time, He has shown us His love, enduring ever always despite our many sins.

Now, brothers and sisters in Christ, it is crucial that we understand how our disobedience against God and His Law, His commandments and ways has led us into the path of sin. Sin has caused us to be corrupted and turned away into the path of wickedness and evil, and leading us down the path of rebellion against God. Through sin, we have been brought away from the righteous path of God, and we have been afflicted with this corruption of sin, which made us to be unworthy of God’s grace and love, that He has always ever generously given to us. We have rejected Him by our disobedience and preference to follow the path of Satan and sin, in turning away from His love and path. Thus, by our disobedience sin has been borne by us, and by sin thus we have entered into this state of suffering and we have to suffer death.

Yet, God’s love for each and every one of us endured, and that is why from the beginning He has already planned way ahead for our salvation and ultimate liberation from all those wicked forces and sin. He revealed to our ancestors and Satan himself, that through the Woman, the salvation of all mankind and this whole world would come, and Satan would be dealt a great defeat, and eventually he shall be thrust forever into Hell and destroyed. And this Woman is none other than Mary, the Mother of God, the one through whom the Saviour of the world, the Son of God Most High, Jesus Christ, would be born through. She is the Woman through whom God would restore all of His beloved people back to His grace and love, because by her ready acceptance of her role and part in the history of salvation, she has brought unto us the love of God made flesh, in Jesus Christ.

Then, as we have already spoken about how sin has led to the corruption and downfall of mankind, because we have been made corrupted and unworthy of God, Who is all holy and perfect, and hence, this is why this belief we have in the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God and Bearer of the Messiah, is necessary and important. Why is that so, brothers and sisters in Christ? That is because for Mary to bear God Himself in her, present in the flesh in Jesus Christ, thus, she has to be immaculate and holy, perfect and free from the taint of sin. That is because no sin can exist in God’s Presence, and nothing impure and imperfect can be in the Vessel of His Saviour, His own Son, Who is co-equal and consubstantial with the Father.

In the past, the Ark of the Covenant was the centre and focus of the worship and the whole community of the people of Israel, because God Himself has hallowed and blessed it, and His Holy Presence came down upon the Ark and rested on it. The Ark was made by the craftsmen from the finest worldly materials, and was made to contain the two tablets on which the Ten Commandments of God were written, as well as the heavenly bread manna, by which God had fed His people with, and also the Staff of Aaron, the staff of authority by which God had performed His signs and wonders in the land of Egypt before the Pharaoh and the Egyptians. That Ark of the Covenant was the manifestation of God’s Presence among His people, and as it has been hallowed and made holy to allow God’s Presence to rest on it, thus, it cannot be touched by anyone, and there was a case when a priest accidentally touched the Ark, and he was struck dead on the spot.

Why is that so? That is because of our sins, which will be our undoing if we come to God in a state of sin and wickedness. Thus, that is why, in the same idea and logic, therefore, is the reason why Mary, the Mother of God, who was to bear the Lord Himself in her own hallowed womb, has to be truly free from any taint of sin, and thus, she, by the singular grace of God, had been kept from the taint of original sin and any other sin throughout her whole life. She is indeed the New Ark of the New Covenant of God, which the Lord Jesus would establish with all of us. This is also what is referred to by the Archangel Gabriel when he hailed Mary as ‘Full of Grace’. One who is in the state of fullness of grace means that the person is fully attuned and aligned with God and His will, and therefore, has no sin. This is why, the Church has consistently taught that Mary was conceived without sin in the Dogma of the Immaculate Conception, and then remained ever holy and pure throughout her life.

That is also why the Church teaches that Mary has also been assumed to Heaven at the end of her worldly existence, in the Dogma of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, with the same reason that if sin has never corrupted her, then she should not suffer the consequences of sin, and thus, by the grace of God, she has been assumed and taken, body and soul into Heaven. Now, as we reflect on all these roles that Mary had played in the story of our salvation by God, let us all therefore remind ourselves to be more like her in all that she had done throughout her whole life. Mary was indeed honoured greatly and exalted, first and foremost because she is none other than the Mother of God herself, and if we truly love and honour the Lord our God, with all of our hearts and might, then we should also honour His mother in the same way.

However, we also honour Mary because of her great dedication and commitment to God, her ready and willing acceptance of God’s will and all that He had told her to do. She accepted everything humbly and lovingly, committing herself to what she had been entrusted to do. As the bearer of the Lord and His Mother, she has dedicated herself to care for her Son, Our Lord and Saviour, and she followed Him throughout His ministry faithfully, even to the foot of the Cross, where she saw with her very own eyes, the most painful suffering and death that her own Son had to suffer for the sake of our salvation, and to liberate all of us from the tyranny and dominion of sin and evil. All of these had been patiently endured by Mary, who continued to humbly and devotedly follow the Lord and fulfil her mission as intended.

Let us therefore as Christians be inspired by the examples and the faith of Mary, the Blessed ever Virgin, Mother of God, and do what we can so that our own lives may truly be worthy of the Lord, in obeying His will, Law and commandments at all times. Let us all strive to be ever more worthy of the Lord by doing what is right and just, and what He has taught and shown us all to do in our respective lives. May all of us as Christians be true and genuine disciples and followers of Christ in all things, and not merely a formality only. May all of us strive to keep ourselves away from sin and evil, as we ought to remember that we ourselves have been chosen and blessed to be God’s holy people, and hence, we should not allow ourselves to be corrupted by sin and evil, by distancing ourselves from the many temptations being present all around us.

May the Blessed Mother of God, Mary, most holy, the Immaculate Conception, be our guide and our help, in our journey of faith towards her Son, Our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. May God bless our every good efforts and endeavours, and may He continue to bless our lives and fill us all with His ever enduring love and grace. Amen.

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Friday, 8 December 2023 : Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Gospel Reading)

Liturgical Colour : White

Luke 1 : 26-38

In the sixth month, the Angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth. He was sent to a young virgin, who was betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the family of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.

The Angel came to her and said, “Rejoice, full of grace, the Lord is with you.” Mary was troubled at these words, wondering what this greeting could mean. But the Angel said, “Do not fear, Mary, for God has looked kindly on you. You shall conceive and bear a Son, and you shall call Him Jesus. He will be great, and shall rightly be called Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the kingdom of David, His ancestor; He will rule over the people of Jacob forever, and His reign shall have no end.”

Then Mary said to the Angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” And the Angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore, the Holy Child to be born of you shall be called Son of God. Even your relative Elizabeth is expecting a son in her old age, although she was unable to have a child; and she is now in her sixth month. With God nothing is impossible.”

Then Mary said, “I am the handmaid of the Lord, let it be done to me as you have said.” And the Angel left her.

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Friday, 8 December 2023 : Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Second Reading)

Liturgical Colour : White

Ephesians 1 : 3-6, 11-12

Blessed be God, the Father of Christ Jesus our Lord, Who, in Christ, has blessed us from heaven, with every spiritual blessing. God chose us, in Christ, before the creation of the world, to be holy, and without sin in His presence.

From eternity He destined us, in love, to be His adopted sons and daughters, through Christ Jesus, thus fulfilling His free and generous will. This goal suited Him : that His loving-kindness, which He granted us in His beloved might finally receive all glory and praise.

By a decree of Him, Who disposes all things, according to His own plan and decision, we, the Jews, have been chosen and called, and we were awaiting the Messiah, for the praise of His glory.

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Friday, 8 December 2023 : Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Psalm)

Liturgical Colour : White

Psalm 97 : 1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4

Sing to YHVH a new song, for He has done wonders; His right hand, His holy arm, has won victory for Him.

YHVH has shown His salvation, revealing His justice to the nations. He has not forgotten His love, nor His faithfulness to Israel.

The farthest ends of the earth all have seen God’s saving power. All you, lands, make a joyful noise to YHVH, break into song and sing praise.

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Friday, 8 December 2023 : Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary (First Reading)

Liturgical Colour : White

Genesis 3 : 9-15, 20

YHVH God called the man saying to him, “Where are you?” He said, “I heard Your voice in the garden and I was afraid because I was naked, so I hid.” God said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree I ordered you not to eat?”

The man answered, “The woman You put with me gave me fruit from the tree and I ate it.” God said to the woman, “What have you done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me and I ate.”

YHVH God said to the serpent, “Since you have done that, be cursed among all the cattle and wild beasts! You will crawl on your belly and eat dust all the days of your life. I will make you enemies, you and the woman, your offspring and her offspring. He will crush your head and you will strike his heel.”

The man called his wife by the name of Eve, because she was the mother of all the living.

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Sunday, 3 December 2023 : First Sunday of Advent (Homily and Scripture Reflections)

Liturgical Colour : Purple/Violet

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, this Sunday we mark the beginning of the Advent season and the new liturgical year cycle, and therefore we are all called to prepare ourselves in heart, body, mind and soul, in our whole being to welcome the Lord as we enter into this solemn time of reflection and preparation for the upcoming glorious season and time of Christmas. In this time of Advent, all of us are called to be vigilant and prepared in our lives, to be truly good and worthy in all things so that we may indeed be worthy and ready to celebrate the true joy of Christmas, and to make full use of the opportunities which God has given to us, in providing us the time and chances for us to make good use of the talents, abilities and other things and blessings He has bestowed on us.

In the first reading today, taken from the Book of the prophet Isaiah, we heard of the words of remorse said by the prophet Isaiah representing the people of Israel and Judah, showing regret and awareness of their wickedness and sinful ways which had caused them to be separated and torn away from the fullness of God’s love and grace. The prophet Isaiah used this opportunity to remind the people of how wayward they had been, in failing to follow God’s path and in disobeying His Law and commandments, which have led them into the path of sin and evil. Contextually, by the time of the ministry of the prophet Isaiah, the people of God had committed a lot of sins and wickedness that they had fallen into dire straits, humiliated by their neighbours and enemies. All of those were signs and reminders for them, what they would have to endure and suffer from, if they chose to disobey God.

But as we all heard from the prophet Isaiah, the Lord did not give up on His people, and He continued to love them all despite all the rebelliousness and difficult attitudes that they had presented to Him. The Lord kept on showing His Fatherly love to all of them, chastising them for their sins and wickedness, disciplining them and reminding them of their obligations, teaching and guiding them in the right paths, through the leaders, guides and messengers that He had sent to them, including the prophet Isaiah himself. He reached out to them with ever patient and enduring love, and promised unto us our deliverance, leading and guiding us all while chastising and scolding us for our sins, so that hopefully, through all of the trials and tribulations, we may be stirred and reminded to walk faithfully once again in His path.

In our second reading passage today, taken from the Epistle of St. Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians, the Apostle reminded and encouraged the faithful people of God in Corinth to hold fast to their faith in the Lord, encouraging them to continue to live their lives worthily of the Lord because of everything that they have received, the assurance, strength and providence in our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, through Whom the fullness of God’s grace and love, His compassionate mercy and kindness have been revealed in all of its fullness, becoming tangible and approachable by all of us. Through Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the One Whom we are expecting in this season of Advent, and the One Whom we are going to celebrate later on in the glorious and most joyful Christmas season, we have seen and witnessed that everything that God had said and promised to us are real, and not mere illusions or mere promises.

In our Gospel passage today, we are then reminded of the nature of our Advent preparation and commemoration, as we heard from the Lord Jesus Himself, Who reminded His disciples and followers, that they all should not be ignorant of the sign of the times, as the coming of the time of reckoning and judgment will come at a time least expected by everyone, and no one knows exactly except the Lord Himself, when this moment will come. Thus, He reminded all of His disciples and followers that all of them ought to be ever vigilant, ready and prepared all the time, by living their lives with commitment and dedication to God, in being righteous, virtuous and just at all times. This is also therefore a reminder to each and every one of us that we should always strive to be good and worthy in each and every one of our words, actions and deeds throughout our lives, so that by our lives we may be good role models and inspirations for one another.

This Advent, we are preparing not only for the coming celebration of Christmas, and in commemorating the events that had happened more than two thousand years ago, when the Lord, our Saviour and King, came down upon us and descended to us in the flesh, born of His Mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and revealed the love of God fully manifested to us. Advent is also a time of preparation for the Second Coming of Christ, or also known as Parousia. Like that of the people at the time of the prophet Isaiah, who was promised the coming of the Messiah, therefore all of us are also expecting the moment when the Lord will come again, and this time, He will bring us all into the eternal kingdom and true bliss that He has promised everyone who believes in Him. This is why, all of us have to be truly prepared at all times, because certainly we do not want to be caught unprepared when the Lord, at the time of His choice, comes again to judge the world.

This Sunday as we begin this Season of Advent, we are all brought into the spiritual journey and preparation of our lives, so that we can better live through the true joy and meaning of our upcoming Christmas celebrations. There are four Sundays in the season of Advent, and each one of them are focused on a particular theme, namely in order, Hope, Peace, Joy and Love. This Sunday, being the First Sunday of Advent, we focus on the theme of ‘Hope’, which is exactly what we have heard in our Scripture passages today, and which is what we are looking forward to in celebrating Christmas. In our world, filled with the darkness of sin and evil, the Light of Christ, His salvation and grace, and the promise of everlasting life and happiness with God, all these are truly Hope for each and every one of us. For without Hope, and without the assurance of God’s love, is there truly any reason for us to exist at all?

That is why, on this First Sunday of Advent, each and every one of us are reminded of the fundamental nature of our observances this Advent, as we focus ourselves and our lives once again on the Lord, our God. It is too often that in our lives, we are so busy and preoccupied with the many concerns, attachments and distractions present all around us, that we end up forgetting and disregarding the Lord, His Presence in our midst, and what we are all called to do as Christians in our daily living. Too many of us are distracted with all sorts of worldly desires, ambitions, attachments and all the things which mislead us down the path of greed and ego, wickedness and sin. That is why, this time of Advent is a time of reflection and reorientation of our lives, that we may truly find our true focus in life, that is in the Lord, in His love, truth and hope.

As we are all surely well aware of, during this time and period, the secular world is abuzz and filled with all sorts of Christmas celebrations, rejoicing and revelry. However, we need to ask ourselves, if the celebrations and festivities are truly rightly and properly focused? Most of the time, all the celebrations are about merrymaking and pleasantries, and for some, it is even about comparing who can do better celebrations, parties and rejoicing, and who can splurge more on the feasts, gifts and all the other usual Christmas glitzes and paraphernalia. Yet, amidst all of these celebrations and festivities, it is often that one very important and major thing is missing. What is that, brothers and sisters in Christ? It is none other than the very reason why we celebrate Christmas itself in the first place, and which at the beginning of this season of Advent, we really ought to remind ourselves and one another of this truth and fact.

Can we imagine having a birthday party and celebration, only for the birthday person to be ignored and left out completely from his or her own party and celebration? Yet, that is exactly what most of our secular Christmas celebrations, festivities and merrymaking are all about. We are so busy with preparing all the celebrations, gifts, all the shopping and chasing after the best promotions and discounts, that we end up forgetting about the One we are all celebrating in Christmas, that is Christ Himself. There can be no Christmas without Christ, Our Lord and Saviour. It is because of His coming into this world, in the flesh, that He has shown us all a new Hope amidst all the darkness and sin surrounding us, and because of His Love for us all, bringing unto us Peace and Joy that endures, all of us can celebrate and be hopeful, happy and truly joyful. This is what Christmas is all about, and something that many of us need to be reminded of.

That is why, brothers and sisters in Christ, as we embark on this Advent journey for the next few weeks, let us all make sure that our preparations for the celebration of Christmas are all truly Christ-centric. Besides decking our houses, halls and places with all sorts of decorations and festive atmosphere, what is even more important is that we should truly prepare our hearts and minds, our souls and our whole beings as well. This Advent is a perfect time and occasion for us to reorientate ourselves and our lives once again towards the Lord, turning ourselves once again to the path towards God. This is why, we should spend more time in reflecting upon our lives, and reconnecting ourselves spiritually with God, by spending more time in quiet and contemplative time in prayer, rather than being busy and preoccupied with all the festivities, forgetting what Christmas is truly all about.

And in our Christmas joy and festivities, let us also not forget to bring the Hope of Christ to others as well. Lest we are not aware of it, there are others around us who may not be so fortunate like us, to be able to celebrate and to be merry and joyful. Amidst the challenges and trials we encounter in life, there are people who have difficulties making ends meet each day, and there are people out there who simply do not have the means, time and opportunities to rejoice and to celebrate. Let us all share whatever joy and blessings we have received this Advent and the upcoming Christmas season. Let us be ever more generous in loving and caring for one another, and do whatever we can so that the Hope of Christ may be shown and known by more and more all around the world, and we can begin it through our own lives, truly attuned and aligned with Christ, the Hope and the true reason for our Christmas joy.

May the Lord our God, the One Whom we are celebrating and keep our Hope in, continue to bless and guide us all in everything we do in our respective lives. May He bless our every good efforts and endeavours, and may He give us the strength, courage and faith, so that we may draw ever closer to Him, and will grow to love and know Him more and more. May our Advent journey be truly blessed and fruitful, brothers and sisters in Christ! Amen.

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Sunday, 3 December 2023 : First Sunday of Advent (Gospel Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Purple/Violet

Mark 13 : 33-37

At that time Jesus said to His disciples, “Be alert and watch, for you do not know when the time will come. When a man goes abroad and leaves his home, he puts his servants in charge, giving to each one some responsibility; and he orders the doorkeeper to stay awake.”

“So stay awake, for you do not know when the Lord of the house will come, in the evening or at midnight, when the cock crows or before dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him catch you asleep. And what I say to you, I say to all : Stay awake!”

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Sunday, 3 December 2023 : First Sunday of Advent (Second Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Purple/Violet

1 Corinthians 1 : 3-9

Receive grace, and peace from God, our Father, and Christ Jesus, our Lord. I give thanks, constantly, to my God, fo you, and for the grace of God given to you, in Christ Jesus. For you have been fully enriched, in Him, with words, as well as with knowledge, even as the testimony concerning Christ was confirmed in you.

You do not lack any spiritual gift and only await the glorious coming of Christ Jesus, our Lord. He will keep you steadfast to the end, and you will be without reproach, on the day of the coming of our Lord Jesus. The faithful God will not fail you, after calling you to this fellowship with His Son, Christ Jesus, our Lord.

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Sunday, 3 December 2023 : First Sunday of Advent (Psalm)

Liturgical Colour : Purple/Violet

Psalm 79 : 2ac and 3bc, 15-16, 18-19

Listen, o Shepherd of Israel, You, Who sit enthroned between the Cherubim. Stir up Your might and come to save us.

Turn again, o YHVH of hosts, look down from heaven and see; care for this vine, and protect the stock Your hand has planted.

But lay Your hand on Your instrument, on the son of man, whom You make strong for Yourself. Then, we will never turn away from You; give us life, and we will call on Your Name.

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Sunday, 3 December 2023 : First Sunday of Advent (First Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Purple/Violet

Isaiah 63 : 16b-17, 19b and Isaiah 64 : 2b-7

But You, o YHVH, are our Father, from the beginning, You are our Redeemer : This is Your Name. Why have You made us stray from our ways? Why have You let our heart become hard so that we do not fear You? Return for the sake of Your servants, the tribes of Your inheritance.

Oh, that You would rend the heavens and come down! The mountains would quake at Your presence. Let them witness Your stunning deeds. No one has ever heard or perceived, no eye has ever seen a God besides You Who works for those who trust in Him. You have confounded those who acted righteously and who joyfully kept Your ways in mind. But You are angry with our sins, yet conceal them and we shall be saved.

All of us have become like the unclean; all our good deeds are like polluted garments; we have all withered like leaves, blown away by our iniquities. There is no one who calls upon Your Name, no one who rouses himself to lay hold of You. For You have hidden Your face, You have given us up to the power of our evil acts.

And yet, YHVH, You are our Father; we are the clay and You are our Potter; we are the work of Your hand.